Vase locking device



Jan. 18, 1966 D. KING 3,229,948

VASE LOCKING DEVICE Filed Nov. 20, 1963 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,229,948 VASE LOCKING DEVICE Drew King, Des Plaines, I1l., assiguor to Bronze Incorporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 20, 1963, Ser. No. 325,080 9 Claims. (Cl. 248-346) This invention relates to a vase and particularly to a vase intended for association with a grave or monument.

It has for one object to provide such a vase which will be durable and strong and adequate to contain flowers, ornaments and the like.

Another object is to provide such a vase and a means for supporting it arranged to prevent upsetting of the vase with respect to its support.

Another object is to provide such a vase so arranged and combined with a support that the vase when not in use may be completely enclosed in the support and latched or fitted to it by the same means used to support the vase when it is upright and in use.

Another object is to provide a vase and a combined support and container therefor and means for interfitting the vase with the support when the vase is not upright but is in reversed position.

Another object will appear from time to time throughout the specification and claims.

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded side elevation of the vase, its support and its container;

FIGURE 2 is a bottom view of the base of the vase taken at line 22 looking in the direction of the arrows of FIGURE 1 at line 2-2;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the support for the vase taken at line 33 and looking in the direction of the arrows at that line;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale illustrating the interfitting of the base and the support, and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional detail with parts in elevation taken at line 6-6 of FIGURE 4.

Like parts are designated by like characters throughout.

As shown, the invention includes a vase 1 having an open top 2 and suitable for reception of flowers, ornaments or designating markers. The vase may be of any desired ornamental shape. It is in the particular form here shown reduced in diameter as at 3 and enlarged as at 4 to form a base. Extending laterally from the base are lugs 5, 5 which are preferably of less thickness than the outer edge of the base 4. The base on its under face may be concave as at 6 and provided with a knob or handle 7 by means of which it may be lifted when in reverse position. The knob or handle 7 as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1 is of such length that it lies completely within the concave portion 6 of the base 4. A retaining chain or cable 8 may be secured to the base by any means desired. As shown, the base is notched as at 9 and a portion of the chain 8 is fitted into this notch and engaged by a pin 10.

The container which is shown in elevation and partly in section in FIGURE 1 and of which a fragment appears in FIGURE 5 comprises a cylindrical member 11 which may be provided with a bottom 12 perforated as at 13. The container may also have an inwardly directed groove 14 adjacent its upper end which is open. One or more screws 15 and nuts 1511 are positioned in perforations or openings adjacent the upper edge of the open end of the container 11. The screws and nuts are. used to secure the vase support to the container as will be described below.

The support in the particular form shown comprises a generally annular member 16. It may have any ornamental or decorative appearance. In the form shown, it is shaped to provide a plurality of concentric areas on its upper surface and also to provide a downwardly depending skirt portion 17 which is at or adjacent the periphery of the support. The support is also provided with one or more downwardly depending container attachment means 18 which may be perforated as at 19 to permit the insertion of the screws 15 for attachment of the support to the container as shown in FIGURE 5.

When the device is in use, the container is buried within the ground 20 for example and the bottom edge of the portion 17 of the support is in contact with the upper surface of the ground. Obviously, the container might be buried in a portion of a monument and in that case, the container would be buried in concrete, a depression, in a stone member or some other more nearly permanent part. The numeral 20 therefore identifies the part and material within which the container is buried no matter what may be the nature of that material.

The support member includes a plurality of inwardly directed retainers 21. In the particular form here shown, there are three such retainers positioned at equal distances about the inner margin of the support member 16.

Intermediate the retainers 21, the supportmernber 16 is provided with vase supporting portions or carriers 22. These are positioned so that their upper surfaces are below the level of the under surfaces of the retainer 21 and that one end of each of the carrier surfaces 22 joins or is integral with the adjacent end of a retainer 21.

Adjacent and preferably integral with each of the supporting surfaces or carriers 22 is a second supporting surface or carrier 23 which is positioned at a still lower level, thus the upper surface of each of the carrier members 23 is below the upper surface of each of the carrier members 22 and a stop shoulder 24 is formed at the juncture of each carrier surface 23 with its adjacent surface 22. The end of each carrier surface member 23 which is farthest from its adjacent stop shoulder 24 is spaced away from the adjacent retainer member 21 so that in a vertical direction, a :gap 25 occurs between each member 21 and the free end of each adjacent carrier member 23.

Adjacent each of the members 18, the support is a downwardly directed part 26.

As shown particularly in FIGURE 6, the lugs 5 of the base 4 oi the vase 1 are of less vertical thickness than the distance between the upper surface of each carrier member 22 of the support and the lower surface of each member 21. Upon the lower surface of each member 21 is positioned a stop 27.

The locked position is shown in dotted lines both in FIGURE 4 and FIGURE 6.

The use and operation of this invention are as follows:

The container portion 11 is buried or covered in the ground or a monument or other permanent location where the vase is to be used. The annular support is secured to the container for example by the screws 15 and the nuts 15a and the device as a whole is positioned within the ground 20 so that the lower edge of the portion 17 of the support is in contact with the upper surface of the ground or other material within which the container is inserted. Generally, a chain or cable or other fastening member 8 is secured as shown to a portion of the base 4 of the vase at one end and its opposite end is screwed, bolted, Welded or otherwise secured to the container 11 so that the vase may not wrongfully be removed.

When the vase is to be put in place, it is upright and may contain flowers, ornaments, markers or any desired articles. It is moved toward the'support in such position of rotation that the lugs of the vase pass between the retainers 21 of the support and thus the lugs 5 are lowered directly to the position of FIGURES 4 and 6. The vase is rotated from that position so that the lugs 5 pass under the retainers 21. When this is accomplished, the lugs 5 are no longer supported on the surface of the carrier members 22. In this rotation, the lugs 5 have been carried so that their left-hand edges as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 6 have moved beyond the stop shoulders 24 and the lugs 5 thus fall lower and rest upon the upper surfaces of the carrier members 23. This brings each lug 5 in part under a retainer 21 into the dotted line position of FIGURE 6. Their movement is limited by the stops 27. When this movement has occured, each lug 5 is beneath a retainer 21 and the rotation of the vase in clockwise or counterclockwise direction is resisted either by the stop shoulder 24 or the stop 27.

After the vase has been moved so that the lugs 5 occupy the dotted line position of FIGURE 6, the vase cannot be given substantial reverse movement without lifting it so that each lug 5 in its reverse movement may clear the stop shoulder 24 and move again from under the retainer 21. When this reverse movement has occurred sufficiently, the lugs 5 then again occupy the full line positions of FIGURE 6 and if desired, the vase may be removed.

When not in use, the vase is removed from the support and is inverted. It may then be lowered into the container 11 and the lugs 5 can equally well occupy the full line position of FIGURE 6 whether the vase be upright or inverted. Therefore, the inverted vase may be rotated by the handle or knob 7 so that the lugs 5 move under the retainers 27 and again, even though it is now in an inverted position and completely within the container 11, the vase is supported by the engagement of its lugs 5 with the carrier members 23 of the support and it is not carried by the bottom 13 of the container 11. It is again carried by the carrier members 23 and it is equally well stopped against reverse rotation by means of the shoulders 24. Since it is now within the container 11, it is not subject to wind and cannot tip over.

In the past, supports have been provided for vases in which the vases were provided with lugs which fitted into depressions in a support member. Such vases have frequently been blown over by the wind when full of flowers whichinterpose a considerable surface to the action of the wind.

Even where overhanging retainers have been provided under which the lugs on the vase might be engaged, the same result has happened. As the vase and its contents are subjected to wind blowing against them, some rattling, teetering and other movement occur and experience has shown that a vase will, so to speak, walk backwards and as. a result of teetering because of wind action, the lugs on the vase will work out from under overhanging retainers or comparable members on the support.

The walking backward effect is prevented in the present invention by the presence of the stop shoulders 24. When the lugs have been moved to the dotted line position of FIGURE 6, tilting, teetering and other movements due to wind action will not be able to raise the lugs 5 above the stop shoulders 24. There will be no reverse movement of the lugs 5 out of their engaging position beneath the retainers 21. Hence the device of this invention prevents the reverse movement or rotation of the vase and prevents tipping over of the vase. It is an important object of this invention to prevent the vase from tipping over and from accidental displacement. The structure just described accomplishes this purpose.

Whereas the preferred form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it should be realized that there are many modifications, substitutions and alterations thereto, within the scope of the following claims. In particular the chain 8 or its equivalent may be omitted as it forms no essential part of the invention, which may be carried out with no attachment of the vase to the support beyond that by the interengagement of the lugs 5 with the carriers 22 and 23 and the retainers 21.

I claim:

1. In combination, a vase and a support therefor, the vase being provided adjacent its lower end with a plurality of laterally extending lugs, the support shaped to have a round opening and being provided with a plurality of vase carriers extending into said opening, said support being also provided with vase retainers interspaced between said carriers and extending inwardly with respect to the support member, said vase carriers spaced below the level of the retainers of said support and each being shaped to provide a vase supporting surface having an upper and a lower level, there being a stop shoulder between said levels.

2. In combination, a vase and a support therefor, the

vase being provided with a plurality of laterally extending lugs, the support shaped to define a generally round opening and being provided with a plurality of pairs of vase carriers extending into said opening, said support being also provided with vase retaining parts interspaced between said carriers and extending inwardly with respect to the support member, said vase carriers each shaped to provide a vase supporting surface having an upper and a lower, generally horizontal level, the said levels being.

level lower than that of the retainers of said support and each being shaped to provide a vase carrying surface having generally horizontal upper and lower levels, and a container, said container, and said support being secured together and flexible means for securing said vase to said container.

4. In combination, a vase and a support therefor, the vase being provided adjacent its lower end with a plurality of laterally extending lugs, the support shaped to define a generally rounded opening and being provided with a plurality of retainers extending into said opening, said support being also provided with vase carrying parts interspaced between said retainers and extending inwardly with respect to said opening, said vase carrying parts positioned at a lower level than that of the retainers of said support and each being shaped to provide a vase supporting surface having generally horizontal upa per and lower levels, the said levels being separated by lock shoulders, and a container positioned beneath said support, and flexible means securing said ,vase to said container.

5. In combination, a vase having an open top and a closed base, lugs extending outwardly from said base, and a support for said vase comprising a member defining a rounded opening, a plurality of separated vase lug retainers attached to said support and extending inwardly into said opening, and a plurality of pairs of adjacently placed lug carriers positioned on said support and extending into said opening, one carrier of each pair having a free end, the said pairs being positioned intermediate said retainers, the surfaces of each pair being separated by a stop shoulder, a stop at the outer end of the upper carrier and a stop on the under surface of each retainer intermediate its ends and adjacent the free end of the adjacent carrier of each pair, the retainers being positioned above the upper surface. of each carrier of each pair.

6. In combination, a vase having an open top and a closed base, lugs extending outwardly about said base, and a support for said vase comprising a member defining a rounded opening, a plurality of separated lug retainers attached to said support and extending inwardly into said opening, and a plurality of pairs of adjacently placed, generally horizontal lug carriers positioned on said support and extending into said opening, the lug carriers of each pair being positioned one at an upper level, the other on a lower level, that on the lower level having a free end, the said pairs being positioned intermediate said retainers, the carriers of each pair being separated by a stop shoulder, stops at one end of each of the upper carriers and a stop on the under surface of each retainer intermediate its ends and adjacent the free end of the adjacent carrier of each pair, the retainers being positioned above the upper surface of the lower carrier of each pair.

7. In combination, a reversible vase and a support therefor, the vase shaped to provide an open top and an oppositely placed base portion, there being outwardly directed lugs fixed to said base, the support shaped to provide a generally rounded hole and a plurality of separated retainers extending inwardly with respect to said hole, each retainer having on its lower surface intermediate its ends a downwardly directed stop and pairs of vase carrying parts positioned at an upper and lower level, the lower of said carriers separated from the upper by a stop shoulder and having a free end extending toward the stop intermediate the ends of an adjacent retainer, the lower of said carriers positioned below the level of an adjacent retainer sufliciently to permit a vase lug to be moved under said retainer whereby the vase is held against tipping, the stop between the supports of each pair being efiective to prevent unintended movement of said vase.

8. In combination, a reversible vase and a support therefor, the vase shaped to provide an open top and an oppositely placed base portion, there being outwardly directed flat lugs fixed to said base, the support shaped to provide a generally rounded hole and a plurality of separated retainers extending inwardly with respect to said hole, each retainer having on its lower surface intermediate its ends a downwardly directed stop and at one end a second stop, and pairs of vase carrying parts positioned at an upper and lower level, the upper of said carrying parts in contact with an end stop on an adjacent retainer, the lower of said carriers separated from the upper by a stop shoulder and having a free end extending toward the stop intermediate the ends of an adjacent retainer, the lower of said carriers positioned below the level of the under surface of an adjacent retainer whereby the vase is held against tipping, the stop between the supports of each pair being effective to prevent unintended movement of said vase.

9. A support for a vase having laterally extending lugs, said support comprising a member defining a rounded opening, there being a plurality of lug retainers positioned in and inwardly directed in said opening, each retainer having intermediate its ends a downwardly directed stop and a second stop adjacent one of its ends, and a plurality of pairs of vase carrier extending into said opening, the carriers of each pair being positioned at an upper and lower level, one of the lower carriers of each pair engaging said second stop on a retainer, the other of said carriers of each pair having a free end directed toward the stop intermediate the ends of an adjacent retainer, and a stop shoulder formed between adjacent ends of the carriers of each pair.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,099,329 11/ 1937 Comstock et a1 4741 2,488,924 11/1949 Meierjohan et al. 4741 2,676,434 4/1954 Carlson 4741 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A VASE AND A SUPPORT THEREFOR, THE VASE BEING PROVIDED ADJACENT ITS LOWER END WITH A PLURALITY OF LATERALLY EXTENDING LUGS, THE SUPPORT SHAPED TO HAVE A ROUND OPENING AND BEING PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF VASE CARRIERS EXTENDING INTO SAID OPENING, SAID SUPPORT BEING ALSO PROVIDED WITH THE VASE RETAINERS INTERSPACED BETWEEN SAID CARRIERS AND EXTENDING INWARDLY WITH RESPECT TO THE SUPPORT MEMBER, SAID VASE CARRIERS SPACED BELOW 